MV GARDEN. 



THE PRICKLY PEAR. 



The Prickly Pear (fig. 380) is the fruit of the Opuntia, but the fruit 

 of many Cacti is equally good ; in particular, I may mention that 

 of Cactus speciosissimus, which I have often gathered and eaten in the 



months of March and April, 

 when their red flesh is really 

 delicious. I have plants of 

 the Opuntia Rafflesquiana (fig. 

 381), which is reputed to be 

 perfectly hardy. It stood the 

 winter of 1870 in my neigh- 

 FiG. 38i.-0puntia Rafflesquiana. bourhood, whcn the tempera- 

 ture fell to zero. This plant must be carefully watched, as if it thrives 

 in this country it will give a fruit of a totally different ' character 

 from that which we have before had. 



Fig. 380.— Prickly 

 Pear. 



ERYOBOTRYA JAPONICA, ANASPOLE JAPONICA, OR LOQUAT. 



At my garden there is one tree of this species, which was given to 

 me by Sir James Tyler; its fruit (fig. 382) is much esteemed throughout 

 South Europe. My tree has not borne fruit 

 as yet. At Florence, Naples, and Rome it 

 is used for decorative purposes, from its noble 

 foliage. I have bought fruit in the market 

 at Florence in April, have occasionally met 

 with it in the shops of Covent Garden Mar- 

 ket, and have known it- to be sold by 

 costermongers in the City of London. Its 

 taste does not commend itself, in my opinion, 

 to the extent to which some persons who -have travelled abroad 

 appreciate it. I have tasted fruit shown at the Fruit Committee of 

 the Horticultural -Society from English hot-houses. 



Fig. 382.— Loquat. 



